Re: New and Very frustrated

[Guest guest]

, hang in there. You might want to seek a second opinion to make sure his

feet are fully corrected. Not being completely corrected could be a reason for

the shoes not fitting properly. I know that's not what you want to hear but

several of us have seen more than one doctor to get it right.

I know it seems overwhelming but things will get on track & you'll quickly

forget the prior frustrations. I know that's not alot of help but I can tell

you many of us have been on the verge of consuming too much wine and way too

much ice cream!! I've had to enter weight watchers because of those shoes.

There was many a day I wanted to throw those suckers out the sun roof of my car

then pull over and watch other drivers just run over them, while drinking a

glass of wine!!! :-) Okay, I hope it least brought a little smile to your face.

Hugs,

Jenn & Aidan (blcf 12/7)

amakared wrote:

Hello! My name is and I have a 10 week old son, who

was born with Club Footing (both legs). We have gone through the

casting, tendon release surgery, Markell shoes with Dennis Brown Bar

which would not stay on his feet, and we are currently trying another

type of brace that allows movement of each leg but is very

confining and looks like torture. I am so overwhelmed and

frustrated. I had no idea how involved this would be. We started when

was just a week old and now he is 10 weeks. His feet do not

stay in the shoe. I have tried many things but his heel never seems

to properly fit in the shoe. Does anyone have suggestions or

encouragement?

Son: 6-11-2005

[Guest guest]

I . I'm sorry you are feeling overwhelmed. I believe that is one of a

parent's worst enemies - just now knowing what to expect as they enter something

like this. Who is your doctor? I'm wondering what brace you are using - if it

is the Dobb's brace or what. Have you looked through the files section of this

group for the list of tips that make using the shoes easier or help you trouble

shoot what is wrong with them? Please go find it, it's amazing.

But most important, don't give up on the brace, it's very critical it be used or

your child's feet will revert back to their clubbed condition and need further

help which isn't always so easy the 2nd time around.

s.

New and Very frustrated

Hello! My name is and I have a 10 week old son, who

was born with Club Footing (both legs). We have gone through the

casting, tendon release surgery, Markell shoes with Dennis Brown Bar

which would not stay on his feet, and we are currently trying another

type of brace that allows movement of each leg but is very

confining and looks like torture. I am so overwhelmed and

frustrated. I had no idea how involved this would be. We started when

was just a week old and now he is 10 weeks. His feet do not

stay in the shoe. I have tried many things but his heel never seems

to properly fit in the shoe. Does anyone have suggestions or

encouragement?

Son: 6-11-2005

[Guest guest]

,

First of all, welcome to you and ! We're so glad you found us.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a rough go with the shoes and bar.

Unfortunately, this is not very uncommon. Most problems with the DBB/FAB are

due to parents not knowing how to put the shoes on correctly (and it can be a

real butt to learn how to use, especially with those tiny, squirmy baby feet!)

or to the feet losing some correction or never having been fully corrected to

begin with. When the feet have been fully corrected by a physician using the

Ponseti method and the brace is being worn properly, most babies have absolutely

no issues with it.

It sounds like your doctor is using a modified version of the Ponseti method to

correct your son's clubfoot. I say " modified " because the FAB (Foot Abduction

Brace, shoes or boots of some kind attached to a bar) is the only brace that has

been shown to be effective in this method. That your doctor is using some other

kind of brace is a sign that she/he is introducing changes to the protocol. Is

this brace is using now sort of like a removable plastic cast that goes

over the knee? The feet are no longer attached by a bar? This is usually

referred to as a Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotic (KAFO) or Wheaton brace. While the

KAFO can hold the foot out in the required abduction, it can also lead to

significant muscle atrophy and is not recommended.

How do ' feet look? They should look very much like any other foot.

When you stand him up, does the whole sole of his foot lie flat on the ground?

Do his heels touch the ground? Do his feet still look turned in at all? That

you say that his heels do not stay down in the shoes makes me think that the

feet are not fully corrected. In that case, the shoes will be nothing but

trouble: they only work if the feet are 100% as they should be.

Where are you located and who is treating your son? Chances are we can refer

you to an experienced doctor in your area, if only for a second opinion. Many

of us have sought out multiple opinions before finding a docor who is doing

things just right. I can assure you that in the right hands, things will get

better. There are also a few other FAB designs out there for those who have

continued trouble with the standard Markells and DBB.

Please let me know if I can answer any other questions. We wish you and yours

all the best,

Naomi

The Family

Naomi Hannah(02/21/01) Jonah(06/20/03, corrected bilateral clubfoot, FAB

14/7)

amakared wrote:

Hello! My name is and I have a 10 week old son, who

was born with Club Footing (both legs). We have gone through the

casting, tendon release surgery, Markell shoes with Dennis Brown Bar

which would not stay on his feet, and we are currently trying another

type of brace that allows movement of each leg but is very

confining and looks like torture. I am so overwhelmed and

frustrated. I had no idea how involved this would be. We started when

was just a week old and now he is 10 weeks. His feet do not

stay in the shoe. I have tried many things but his heel never seems

to properly fit in the shoe. Does anyone have suggestions or

encouragement?

Son: 6-11-2005

[Guest guest]

,

I'm sorry you are so frustrated, believe me I think we have all been

there. It is very frustrating at first but you will get the hang of

it soon, and it will be old hat!

Now as for the trouble you are having with the shoes, you said you

have a new brace that allows movement of each leg, I'm wondering if

you are seeing Dr. Dobbs, is this the new brace he has designed? If

so, I have experience with this brace and maybe can help you. How

long has been in this brace? Let us know more about your

situation and hopefully we can give you some pointers and help you get

this resolved.

Thanks,

> Hello! My name is and I have a 10 week old son, who

> was born with Club Footing (both legs). We have gone through the

> casting, tendon release surgery, Markell shoes with Dennis Brown Bar

> which would not stay on his feet, and we are currently trying another

> type of brace that allows movement of each leg but is very

> confining and looks like torture. I am so overwhelmed and

> frustrated. I had no idea how involved this would be. We started when

> was just a week old and now he is 10 weeks. His feet do not

> stay in the shoe. I have tried many things but his heel never seems

> to properly fit in the shoe. Does anyone have suggestions or

> encouragement?

>

>

>

> Son: 6-11-2005